Tomer Hanuka and the Myth of ‘Mud’

Filmmaker Jeff Nichols‘ 2012 film ‘Mud‘ tells the story of two kids caught up mid-fable of a man named Mud. Matthew McConaughey‘s portrayal of Mud, our anti-hero, is equal parts glass-eyed mystic and volatile romeo. In Mud we have a man derailed from his mission to connect with a girl named Juniper, his one true love. When our young heroes Ellis and Neckbone find Mud he’s in hiding — a murderer and wanderer moored to a Southern island, protected by his various totemic charms and of course, his gun.

For the release of composer David Wingo‘s score for the film, Mondo turned to Tomer Hanuka to illustrate the many pieces of art needed for the double vinyl package design. In Hanuka’s Mud we see the weary desperation and longing of both Mud and Juniper, their love dangerous and heavy. Here, Mud sits front and center like a misfit God. The trinkets and tools of his legend strewn about his tree, his Mount Olympus. His Underworld. The film and its score ground Ellis and Neckbone to the reality of the Arkansas River, and for the cover art Hanuka took to the myth of the man named Mud. Juniper and Mud are separated by a river, and all of that distance and the heartache it brings is rendered tenderly by Hanuka.

The double LP featuring Hanuka’s illustrations is available from Mondo in their shop.

‘Mud’ vinyl album cover art by Tomer Hanuka

‘Mud’ vinyl album back cover art by Tomer Hanuka

‘Mud’ vinyl album gatefold art by Tomer Hanuka

Juniper blue vinyl records for the Mondo release of David Wingo’s score for ‘Mud’